Information handling system external adapter and battery source

ABSTRACT

A portable information handling system battery module has a self-contained housing having a battery charger, integrated rechargeable batteries and plural ports to transfer power, such as USB Type C ports having bi-directional power transfer capability. A cable couples first battery module port to a portable information handling system port to provide power to the portable information handling system and accept power from the portable information handling system. Plural additional battery modules daisy chain to the first battery module to accept power from and provide power to the portable information handling system. Power transfer is coordinated with communications through the ports, such as by a USB power transfer protocol supported at the information handling system and each battery module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of informationhandling system power management, and more particularly to aninformation handling system external adapter and battery source.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Portable information handling systems come in a variety of forms to meetexpected end user needs for portability, processing capability, screensize, input capability and battery life. Generally, the most portableform factor is a tablet or smartphone form factor that uses atouchscreen display as the input device. Tablet information handlingsystems are built into a planar housing that takes minimal space, suchas might fit in a back pocket or purse. Tablet information handlingsystems generally are convenient to carry and use for tasks that havelimited processing requirements, however, limited processingcapabilities and slow inputs typically found with touchscreen keyboardstend to restrict tablet information handling system to basic e-mail andweb browsing tasks. Generally, tablet information handling systems haveflat battery packs that store limited power so that extended use of asystem for any processing intensive task can rapidly deplete the batterycharge.

Other portable information handling system form factors tend to includean integrated keyboard and a mechanical mechanism to open and closeaccess to the keyboard and to an integrated display. A clamshell housingrotates a lid relative to a main housing with a display integrated inthe lid and a keyboard integrated in the main housing. A clamshellhousing configuration when opened holds the display in an elevatedposition for viewing by an end user and, when closed, protects thekeyboard and display from damage. Convertible housing configurations goa step further by allowing the lid to rotate into a tablet configurationthat exposes the display for use as a tablet. Convertible configurationssometimes rotate the lid a full 360 degrees to a tablet configuration,or alternatively rotates the display in a manner that faces the displayoutwards when the lid closes over top of the keyboard. Generally suchportable information handling systems tend to have larger housing sizesthat include larger display screens and that have room to hold morepowerful processing components. Although such systems have lessportability than tablet configurations, they also tend to support moreprocessing intensive applications so that an end user can work on thego. In some instances, clamshell configurations have capabilities thatapproach those of desktop systems with large battery packs to providepower to run the more powerful processing components and theinfrastructure that often accompanies such components, such as anintegrated cooling fan.

One difficulty with portable information handling systems is that thepower consumed by a system can vary widely based on the type of systemand how the system is used. For example, a portable information handlingsystem with a solid state drive (SSD) remains “on” for an end user withnearly zero power use when in an idle state by storing the operatingsystem in persistent memory. However, that same portable informationhandling system might execute a processing-intensive application, suchas CAD rendering, that will rapidly deplete a battery charge and evensurpass the capacity of an external power adapter to provide power. Forsmaller-sized portable information handling systems, power is oftenprovided through data ports, such as USB ports, that do not havecapacity to fully support system operations when in a high powerconsumption state. Larger and more capable portable information handlingsystems generally come with external AC-to-DC power adapters thatprovide increased power transfer capabilities, however, such poweradapters tend to have a larger footprint and are inconvenient to carryand use.

One solution available for end users is to carry extra batteries withthe portable information handling system that extend the charge life ofintegrated batteries. For example, the batteries are in a package thatplugs into an information handling system power or communication port toeither recharge the integrated battery or provide power directly tointernal components to run the system. External batteries may beincluded in an external power adapter for to provide power when an ACpower source is not available or in a package separate from the AC powersource designed specifically to provide battery power. Although externalbatteries provide a viable alternative to power information handlingsystems for extended times when external power is unavailable, they dorepresent another item that an end user must carry and keep charged. Foran active user working on-the-go, carrying additional items is ofteninconvenient and difficult, especially where the items are bulky.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which provides aninformation handling system with external power from batteries havingminimal size.

A further need exists for a system and method which charges externalbatteries in a coordinated manner.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method areprovided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problemsassociated with previous methods and systems for interfacing externalpower with an information handling system. A portable informationhandling system is powered with an external power source having separateself-contained modules that control power transfer and generate power. Acontrol module selectively interfaces with one or both of a batterymodule and an AC-to-DC adapter module that provide power to allow a userto manage the size and functionality of an external power source.Battery modules interface with each other in a daisy chain configurationto conveniently charge and discharge through a common power connector,such as a power or data port of an information handling system or anAC-to-DC adapter module.

More specifically, a portable information handling system processesinformation with processing components disposed in a portable housingand powered by an integrated battery. The portable information handlingsystem receives power from an external power source through a powerport, such as dedicated power connector or a serial data port thatprovides power transfer with a power transfer protocol. In one exampleembodiment, a USB 3.0 Type C serial data port provides bi-directionalpower transfer between the portable information handling system and anexternal adapter that selectively configures to couple with aself-contained battery module and/or AC-to-DC adapter module. Aself-contained control module removeably coupled to the portableinformation handling system with a USB cable includes a USB powercontroller to manage power transfer with one or more power sources thatremoveably couple to the control module and to each other. The controlmodule USB power controller supports management of power source modulescoupled to it, such as the use of external power from an AC-to-DCadapter module to charge a battery module while also providing power tothe information handling system. When multiple battery modules aresimultaneously coupled to each other, charging of each battery module ismanaged by active communication through the USB protocol with eachbattery module or with a default charging protocol that charges anddischarges power from the most distally connected battery module in adaisy chain configuration. End users couple power source self-containedmodules based on projected power needs and size convenience.

The present invention provides a number of important technicaladvantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that aninformation handling system has external power available from both abattery source and an AC source through a common control circuit. Theend user assembles a control module having the desired external powersource and connects the external power source to an information handlingsystem port, such as power port or a data port that accepts power. Byselecting a single external power source module, such as either abattery module or an AC-to-DC converter module, the end user minimizesthe size of the assembled external power source for a desired usagemodel. For example, selecting a battery source module eliminates sizeassociated with AC-to-DC converter circuits and external AC socket wireplugs. In the event that the end user desires both capabilities beavailable, both the AC-to-DC converter module and the battery module aresimultaneously coupled to the control module. This allows the use ofexternal AC power to both power the information handling system andcharge the battery module. In addition, battery power from the batterymodule is available to supplement external AC power during periods ofheavy information handling system current draw.

Another technical advantage of the present invention is that multipleexternal battery modules and/or assembled battery and control modulesmay be charged through a coordinated charge operation. The controlmodules communicate with each other and a power source to determine anavailable charge current draw and apply the charge current draw tocharge external batteries through common power connections, such as adaisy chain of power or data cables interconnecting the external batterymodules. By sharing battery state, charger capacity, charge rates andother information, source and sink charging devices rapidly respond tochanges in power availability and information handling system powerneeds to maintain power devices in optimal configurations that supportthe portability of information handling system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference number throughout the several figures designates a like orsimilar element.

FIG. 1 depicts a blown-up view of a portable information handling systemconfigured to accept external power from an AC adapter or a batterysource;

FIG. 2 depicts a modular external power source that provides power froman AC adapter or battery power source;

FIG. 3 depicts a modular external power source that provides power froman AC adapter without the battery power source coupled;

FIG. 4 depicts a modular external power source that provides power froma battery power source without an AC power source connected;

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of coupling devices aligned to communicatepower and charging information between modules;

FIGS. 6A and 6B, referred to generally as FIG. 6, depict a circuit blockdiagram of a modular AC power source and battery power source coupledwith a control module;

FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of a process for configuring power modulesto interact with an information handling system and with each other; and

FIG. 8 depicts a circuit block diagram of power modules configured tocouple with each other for cooperative charging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Portable information handling system power from an external source ismanaged through self-contained removeably coupled battery and AC-to-DCmodules by a control module having logic to allocate power between theinformation handling system and plural battery modules. For purposes ofthis disclosure, an information handling system may include anyinstrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute,classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch,store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilizeany form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific,control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling systemmay be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any othersuitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality,and price. The information handling system may include random accessmemory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/orother types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of theinformation handling system may include one or more disk drives, one ormore network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. The information handling system may also include one ormore buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a blown-up view depicts a portable informationhandling system 10 configured to accept external power from an ACadapter or a battery source. Information handling system 10 is built ina portable housing having a main portion 12 that houses processingcomponents and a rotationally-coupled lid portion 14 that rotatesbetween closed and open positions. In the example embodiment, housingmain portion 12 holds a motherboard 16 that interfaces processingcomponents that process information. For example, a central processingunit (CPU) 18 executes instructions stored in random access memory (RAM)20 and solid state drive (SSD) 22. A chipset 24 includes firmwareexecuted on processing resources and stored in flash memory that managesinteraction of physical resources of information handling system 10,such as a basic input/output system (BIOS). For example, an embeddedcontroller 26 manages inputs detected at a keyboard and application ofpower in response to a power switch to bring information handling system10 to an operational state. A power controller 28 operates under thecontrol of embedded controller 26 to control application of power to theprocessing components from an internal source, such as an integratedbattery, or an external source, such as an AC-to-DC adapter 38 orbattery adapter 40. Chipset 24 also includes graphics resources thatcommunicate with a display 36 to present information has visual images.In the example embodiment, portable information handling system 10 has aclamshell configuration, however, in alternative embodiments other typesof housing configurations may be used, such as convertible and tabletconfigurations.

In the example embodiment depicted by FIG. 1, portable informationhandling system 10 accepts external power through a power port 30 with apower cable 42 that extends from AC-to-DC adapter 38 and/or batteryadapter 40. In various alternative embodiments, data ports may alsoprovide a cable connection for power transfer, such as a data port 32and or graphics port 34 that communicate USB, docking station,DisplayPort or other types of data protocols. Power manager 28coordinates power transfer from such data ports to both power theprocessing components and charge an integrated battery. When an externalpower source couples to power port 30 or data ports 32 and 34, powercontroller 28 communicates with the external power source to determineits type and power state, and then coordinates power transfer from thepower source or, in the case of a battery adapter 40, to the powersource for charging the battery. As is set forth below in greaterdetail, AC-to-DC adapter 38 and battery adapter 40 removeably couple toeach other to form power source units configured for size and powerdelivery preferences of an end user.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a modular external power source is depictedthat provides power from an AC adapter or battery power source. In theexample embodiment of FIG. 2, three self-contained modules couple toeach other to form a contiguous unit that converts AC power to DC powerand stores DC power in integrated batteries. A control module 46includes the logic that interfaces with an information handling system10 through a power or data cable to coordinate power transfer. Controlmodule 46 includes one or more power and/or data ports that accept apower and/or data cable for transfer of power with an informationhandling system. A battery module 48 removeably couples to controlmodule 46 and stores power in integrated batteries for transfer toinformation handling system 10. An AC-to-DC adapter module 50 couples tobattery module 48 and converts AC power provided from an external ACpower source into DC power for use to charge battery module 48 and powerinformation handling system 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a modular external power source is depictedthat provides power from an AC adapter 50 without the battery powersource coupled. AC-to-DC adapter module 50 interacts with a removeablycoupled control module 46 to send power to information handling system10 based upon communications between control module 46 and informationhandling system 10. Removing battery module 48 from between controlmodule 46 and AC-to-DC module 50 reduces the size and weight of theassembled external power source to provide an end user with improvedportability where the end user expects to have access to AC powersockets. Referring now to FIG. 4, a modular external power source isdepicted that provides power from a battery power source without an ACpower source connected. An end user removes AC-to-DC adapter module 50from battery module 48 so that only battery external power is availablethrough control module 46 to power information handling system 10. Theuser is able to configure the external power source to have a reducedsize and weight for portability where the user expects a lack ofavailability of external AC power sockets. Battery module 48 is chargedby coupling an AC-to-DC power module to it or by communicating powerfrom an information handling system 10 when information handling system10 has other external power available.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view depicts coupling devices 52 alignedto communicate power and charging information between modules. In theexample embodiment, coupling devices 52 are symmetrically located serialdata ports that include power transfer capability, such as Type C USBports. For example, opposing male and female ports are included on eachside face of battery modules 48 to provide an interface to both AC-to-DCmodule 50 and control module 46 when one or more battery modules arecoupled between AC-to-DC module 50 and control module 46. In alternativeembodiments, alternative types of connections and communication portsmay be used. In one example alternative embodiment, data cables, such asUSB cables may be used to couple some or all of the different modulestogether, including multiple battery modules 48 that receive power fromone AC-to-DC adapter module 50 and/or control from control module 46.For example, USB communications including USB power protocols areexchanged between the multiple modules to provide coordinated sharing ofpower managed by a USB power controller disposed in control module 46.In an alternative embodiment, a USB cable connection by informationhandling system 10 through any one module of type 46, 48 or 50, allows aUSB power controller of information handling system 10 to query eachmodule for its capabilities and power state so that power charging anddischarging is commanded from the information handling system. In suchan arrangement, a control module 46 may provide similar coordinationincluding taking over the management of charging and dischargingfunctions in the event of a disconnect from or power down of informationhandling system 10.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a circuit block diagram depicts a modular ACpower source and battery power source coupled with a control module. Inthe example embodiment of FIG. 6, each module 46, 48 and 50 is in aself-contained housing separate from the other modules with all threemodules selectively coupling together to form a contiguous power sourcedevice. By removeably coupling each module at a coupling point, an enduser configures an external power source to have selectable size, weightand capability that matches the end user's needs. Further, in theexample embodiment, the overall cost and complexity of the configurableexternal power source is reduced by including intelligent charging logicin only a control module 46 that manages power transfer between othermodules 48 and 50 and with information handling system 10.

AC-to-DC adapter module 50 includes an external AC power source 44 thataccepts AC power and communicates the AC power to a power conversioncircuit 72 that converts the AC power to DC power. The DC power isprovided to a voltage control regulator 74 that keeps current andvoltage output within defined constraints, such as 12, 14, 19.5 or 20VDC. A power out port 76 routes DC power out of the self-containedmodule 50 to interface with either a battery module 48 or a controlmodule 46. In addition, in some embodiments, power out port 76 providesa communication path to pass commands to AC-to-DC adapter module 50,such as to voltage regulator 74 or to a USB power controller if one isincluded. In the example embodiment, control module 46 manages currentdraw from AC-to-DC adapter module 50 so that intelligence and relatedcosts of AC-to-DC adapter 50 may be reduced.

As depicted by the example embodiment of FIG. 6, battery module 48receives power from power out port 76 at a power in port 78 andcommunicates the power to a charger 80. Charger 80 applies current tocharge integrated battery 82 and to send power to a boost converter 84for communication at a power out port 86 to control module 46. In theexample embodiment, the intelligence and related cost of battery module48 is reduced by managing power transfer and charging functions fromcontrol module 46. For example, current and voltage capabilities ofAC-to-DC adapter module 50 and battery module 48 are set at USB3.0standard values, and the standard values are indicated to control module46. Battery module 48 draws current based upon USB3.0 limits andallocates the current to output at port 86 or charge battery 82 so thatcurrent limits are not violated. If intelligence is included in AC-to-DCmodule 50 and battery module 48, then communication between ports 76 and78 of the acceptable power constraints provides flexibility to connectmodules together that have different power capabilities with thedifferences programmatically resolved.

Control module 46 accepts power from port 86 to power a voltageregulator 92 that supports operation of a USB power controller 94 tomanage power transfer. USB controller 94 interfaces with an informationhandling system to exchange power transfer parameters that area appliedto manage power transfer from battery module 48 and AC-to-DC module 50.For example, USB controller 94 handshakes through a Type C port 98 withan information handling system power controller to communicate the powertransfer capabilities of AC-to-DC adapter 50 and battery module 48.These power transfer capabilities are stored and tracked with amicrocontroller 90 that communicates through port 98 or through a USB2port 100. Additional power out ports may be included at control module46 with outputs set to match the output port connector, such as 4.5 or7.4 mm connectors that output 65 and 90 W respectively.

In operation, a user may selectively couple the modules together to usethe AC-to-DC adapter and control module 46 as a unit, to use the batterymodule 48 and control module 46 as a unit, and use all three modules asa unit as is depicted in FIG. 6. A user has an option to select modulesto meet the user's needs. In the example embodiment, overall cost of theexternal power source system is reduced by leveraging intelligence incontrol module 46 to manage battery module 48 and AC-to-DC adapter 50separately or as a combined unit. In various embodiments, charging ofbattery module 48 may be performed by AC-to-DC adapter 50 withoutcontrol module 50 or in combination with charging of an informationhandling system battery. Further, an information handling system maycharge battery module 48 by providing current through control module 46when the information handling system has an external power source. In anexample embodiment where an assembled external power unit has both ACpower conversion and battery power available, control module 46 mayselectively configure output that exceeds the capability of the AC-to-DCadapter module by supplementing current out with current provided frombattery module 48. Coordination of power transfer parameters dependsupon control module 46 having accurate information about thecapabilities of the AC-to-DC adapter and battery modules that itcontrols.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram depicts a process forconfiguring power modules to interact with an information handlingsystem and with each other. The process starts at step 56 with detectionof a power input source coupled to an information handling system. Atstep 56, a determination is made of whether the input power source hasan AC adapter capability. If an AC adapter is present, the processcontinues to step 60 configure the information handling system to acceptpower in configured based upon the availability of the AC adapter. Forexample, if the external power source is coupled through USB Type Cports, standardized USB power parameters may be applied. Alternatively,power parameters may be individualized based upon USB communications. Atstep 62, a determination is made of whether the external power sourceincludes a battery. If so, the process continues to step 64 to configurefor the presence of a combined battery and AC-to-DC module. For example,if a battery is present and AC power is not available, charging from theinformation handling system to the battery may be coordinated in theevent that external power is present at the information handling systemfrom a different source. Once the information handling system andcontrol module are configured, the process returns to step 56 monitorfor a change in the power input source configuration.

If at step 58 an AC adapter module is not detected, the processcontinues to step 66 to determine if a battery module is present toprovide power. If no battery module and hence no external power isavailable, the process issues a warning at step 70 to the user that nopower is available and returns to step 56. If a battery is detected atstep 66, the process continues to step 68 to configure the controlmodule and information handling system to have battery power in as theexternal power source. For example, the information handling system isconfigured to charge the battery module when power is available and toselect other power sources that have AC power available if multiplepower sources are available. The process then returns to step 56 tocontinue monitoring for changes in external power source configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a circuit block diagram depicts power modulesconfigured to couple with each other for cooperative charging. In theexample embodiment, an external AC power source connector 44 provides ACpower to an AC-to-DC adapter module 50 that converts AC power into DCpower to charge plural battery modules 48 coupled to each other in adaisy chain configuration. The example embodiment minimizes cost byautomatically providing charging to the plural battery modules 48without a control module 46. For example, each battery module 48 has aport for power in that couples with AC-to-DC adapter module 50 and aport for power out that couples to an information handling system powerin port. A battery charger 80 accepts power in to charge a battery 82and a boost voltage regulator 84 outputs DC power at an appropriatevoltage out, such as at a voltage that matches the voltage out ofAC-to-DC adapter module 50. With multiple battery modules 48, thefurthest battery module 48 having less than a full charge will get firstcharged by DC power from AC-to-DC adapter module 50. As each batterymodule 48 gets charged, the next closest battery module 48 in the daisychain relative to AC-to-DC adapter module 50 is charged until allbattery modules are charged.

As an example with the daisy chain configuration of FIG. 8, AC-to-DCadapter module 50 outputs DC voltage and current compliant with USB3.0at a Type C USB connector that couples to a first battery module 48.Similarly, each battery daisy chain coupling port is supported throughas USB Type C connector. The Type C connectors may use a maleconfiguration for power out and a female configuration for power in, orvice versa, or may have all connectors of the same male or female type.USB compliant power output is assumed at each battery module 48 so thatthe current draw will not exceed the capability of AC-to-DC adaptermodule 50. Alternatively or additionally, battery chargers 80 monitorfor voltage droop to restrict current draw. Each battery charger 80prioritizes current draw out over charging of its integrated battery 82so that the last battery charger 80 in the daisy chain that has anuncharged battery 82 will draw current to charge its battery. In oneembodiment, chargers 80 divert all current into the battery module 48out to the next battery module 48 while voltage levels indicate aconstant current charging mode. Once a battery module 48 battery charger80 detects that current draw out has reached a constant voltage chargingmode, the battery charger 80 may either divert excess current to chargeits integrated battery 82 or may cut off current out so that all currentinto a battery module 48 is applied to charge the integrated battery 82.In such an embodiment, once the battery module 48 that is closest toAC-to-DC adapter module 50 reaches constant voltage charging, itscharger 80 provides current out so that all battery modules 48 in thedaisy chain receive current to support constant voltage charging.Advantageously, delaying constant voltage charging for all batterymodules 48 provides a rapid base charge buildup in each battery module48 with the full current output of AC-to-DC adapter module 50 used untilnone of the batteries in the daisy chain can accept the full currentoutput as a collective unit.

In alternative embodiments, charging of battery modules 48 in a daisychain configuration may be managed by a control module 46 or aninformation handling system 10 that includes a USB power controller tocommunicate charge parameters. In one embodiment, each battery module 48provides its power state to the USB power controller so that acentralized charger management is provided. Power state information andcharge parameters are passed through the daisy chain interface betweeneach battery module 48 to the control module 46 or information handlingsystem 10. The daisy chain interface may be establish by coupling eachbattery module to its proximate module with a direct port to portconnection or by coupling some or all of the modules to each other withcables, such as USB cables. In some embodiments, communication with andcontrol of battery modules 48 and AC-to-DC modules 50 is provided by aUSB power controller integrated in each module. In this manner, theorder of charging may be modified by having a control module orinformation handling system command the order in which battery modulesin the daisy chain are charged independent of their physical order.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for powering a portable informationhandling system, the method comprising: removeably coupling a power-inport of a first battery module to a charging port of power source with afirst cable; removeably coupling a power-out port of the first batterymodule to a power-in port of a second battery module with a secondcable; providing power from the power source to the first battery modulethrough the power-in port; determining at the first battery module thatthe second battery module has capacity to accept a charge; charging thesecond battery module with power provided at the power-out port of thefirst battery module to the power-in port of the second battery module;and charging the first battery module when the second battery module apredetermined capacity to accept a charge.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the power-in ports and power-out ports comprise identical serialdata ports and the first and second data cables comprise identicalserial data cables, the method further comprising: communicating betweenthe power source, the first battery module and the second battery modulethrough the serial data ports and cables to determine power states; andconfiguring the serial data ports as power-in or power-out ports basedupon the power states.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the power sourcecomprises an information handling system having a power manager, themethod further comprising: querying with the power manager through theserial data cables a power state of each battery module; and commandingwith the power manager the application of power to charge each batterymodule.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the serial ports comprise USBType C ports and the serial data cables comprise USB cables.
 5. Themethod of claim 2 wherein the power source comprises an AC-to-DC adaptermodule that accepts AC power and outputs DC power to a battery power-inport.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising: charging only thesecond battery module if the second battery module charges in a constantcurrent mode; and charging the first battery module at a predeterminedcapacity of the second battery module by determining that the secondbattery module has transitioned from a constant current mode to aconstant voltage mode.
 7. A battery module for powering a portableinformation handling system, the battery module comprising: aself-contained housing having at least two power ports configured tocouple to external cables; a rechargeable battery disposed in theself-contained housing; and a battery charger interfaced with the atleast two ports and the rechargeable battery, the battery chargeroperable to discharge power from the rechargeable battery through atleast one of the ports and to charge the rechargeable battery with powerreceived from at least one of the ports, the battery charger furtheroperable to detect a second battery module coupled to the port thatdischarges power and to coordinate charging of the second battery modulein cooperation with the integrated battery.
 8. The battery module ofclaim 7 wherein the at least two power ports comprise serial data portsand the battery charger comprises a serial data charging protocoloperable to communicate through the serial data ports with a powersource and the second battery module to coordinate charging of thesecond battery module.
 9. The battery module of claim 8 wherein the twopower ports comprise USB Type C ports and the serial data chargingprotocol comprises a USB charging protocol.
 10. The battery module ofclaim 8 wherein the battery charger is further operable to coordinatecharging of plural battery modules daisy chained to a serial data portof the second battery module, the battery charger charging in an orderfrom the most remote daisy chained battery module to the most proximatedaisy chained battery module.
 11. The battery module of claim 7 whereinthe battery charger is configured to forward all power in to a port thataccepts power out through a port that discharges power until the secondbattery module reaches a constant voltage charging mode.
 12. The batterymodule of claim 7 wherein the battery charger is further configured tocharge the integrated battery upon detecting constant voltage chargingof the second battery module.